The Best Movie Sequels/Prequels Ever
This is my list of what I feel to be the best movie sequels or prequels of all-time. If a movie that is generally known as a "good sequel" doesn't appear here, it doesn't mean I've forgotten to include it - it just means that I personally didn't like it or I haven't seen it yet. These are presented in no particular order. Feel free to leave your opinions and comments below.
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- DirectorJames CameronStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLinda HamiltonEdward FurlongA cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg.This is one of the all-time best sequels to ever hit the silver screen. Schwarzenegger is "back" in one of his best films ever. The special effects and action sequences were second-to-none and still hold up well even today.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSigourney WeaverMichael BiehnCarrie HennDecades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.I loved the first one, so I had high hopes going into this one, and I wasn't disappointed. The thrills are doubled and the action was awesome. Ripley delivers one of the best lines in movie history ... "Get away from her, you bitch!" Loved this flick.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsWesley SnipesKris KristoffersonRon PerlmanBlade forms an uneasy alliance with the vampire council in order to combat the Reapers, who are feeding on vampires.This movie takes what the first one did and doubles it. The story, acting, action sequences, cinematography, special effects ... all were twice as good. This is one of my personal favorite sequels of all-time.
- DirectorRenny HarlinStarsBruce WillisWilliam AthertonBonnie BedeliaJohn McClane attempts to avert disaster as rogue military operatives seize control of Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.Some of you may scoff at the inclusion of this one, but I felt Die Hard 2 was almost just as good as the original film. To quote Bruce Willis on this movie, "It's more of what was there in the first one...It's bigger, noisier, louder, badder." It certainly was.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroRobert DuvallThe early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.I loved the Godfather, so when someone once suggested to me that they felt the second one was even better, I went back and watched it again. And you know what? They were right. Deeper, better acting, great story and family dynamics. Even better.
- DirectorStephen SommersStarsBrendan FraserRachel WeiszJohn HannahThe mummified body of Imhotep is shipped to a museum in London, where he once again wakes and begins his campaign of rage and terror.The first film was great, but this one came along and quickly became a favorite. The actors have settled more into their roles, the special effects were much better and the story much more engaging. This sequel tops the original.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Empire overpowers the Rebel Alliance, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda. At the same time, Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett pursue his friends across the galaxy.The original Star Wars was so life changing for me, so when this 2nd movie came out, I was one of the first in line. So much happens in this one - "Luke, I am your father". What?!?! And in this one, the bad guys win. LOL - better than the first.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsTom CruiseDougray ScottThandiwe NewtonIMF agent Ethan Hunt is sent to Sydney to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called "Chimera".I enjoyed the first one, but to be honest, it left me feeling a little bit confused. It was pretty convoluted. When this 2nd one came out, it got the series on track. The action was higher, the camera work better, and the story was one I was able to follow along to easier. This is still one of my favorites in the M:I franchise.
- DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTom HardyCharlize TheronNicholas HoultIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshipper and a drifter named Max.To me, this movie is not only the best Mad Max movie ever made, but it is also one of the best action movies ever made. Wow - the visuals were jaw dropping, the story and acting simply awesome. THIS is what a sequel should be.
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsAndy SerkisWoody HarrelsonSteve ZahnAfter the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind.I was always a big fan of this franchise since way back in the days of Charlton Heston, but this one blows them all away. One of the most engaging stories, you actually feel for these damn, dirty apes...lol. This is a personal favorite of mine.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen a menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman, James Gordon and Harvey Dent must work together to put an end to the madness."Why so serious?" - Batman Begins was a pretty good movie, but this sequel not only betters it predecessor, it set new standards in movie making. Could Heath Ledger one-up Jack Nicholson as the Joker? I don't know, it sure seemed like it to me.
- DirectorNicholas MeyerStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyDeForest KelleyWith the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon.As much fun as it was to see Star Trek hit the silver screen, let's face it - the original movie was pretty lame. So when this 2nd one came out, it was destined to make an immediate improvement. And controversial too - Spock dies? (Don't worry, he comes back in the next one).
- DirectorJohn LasseterAsh BrannonLee UnkrichStarsTom HanksTim AllenJoan CusackWhen Woody is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz and his friends set out on a rescue mission to save Woody before he becomes a museum toy property with his roundup gang Jessie, Prospector, and Bullseye.I loved the first movie, but the 2nd one was even better! Improved graphics, a better story plot, and they up the humor a notch as well. This was my personal favorite entry into this awesome movie franchise.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonPolitical involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.This series just kept getting better and better with each movie, but it was this 3rd movie that really made me sit up and pay attention. Captain America and Iron Man fighting tooth and nail at the end? Classic. Love this movie.
- DirectorDavid F. SandbergStarsAnthony LaPagliaSamara LeeMiranda OttoTwelve years after the tragic death of their little girl, a doll-maker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, where they become the target of the doll-maker's possessed creation, Annabelle.Admit it - the first Annabelle pretty much sucked. It was a yawn fest. When this one came out, I was wary, but decided to go ahead and watch it. So glad I did! It took the concept of the first movie and did everything it should have done.
- DirectorDan TrachtenbergStarsJohn GoodmanMary Elizabeth WinsteadJohn Gallagher Jr.A young woman is held in an underground bunker by a man who insists that a hostile event has left the surface of the Earth uninhabitable.I enjoyed the found footage effect from the first movie, but this 2nd film blows it away. John Goodman nails his role in this nail biter. I could watch this movie over and over again. This is by far the best movie in this series.
- DirectorRichard LesterRichard DonnerStarsGene HackmanChristopher ReeveMargot KidderSuperman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.The first movie was fun to watch, despite it's ending. But now Superman has to battle 3 more with powers like his. Not only does Superman lose his powers, but he gets married too. Will it be too late? This was the best of the bunch.
- DirectorBrian FeeStarsOwen WilsonCristela AlonzoChris CooperLightning McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of racers that he's still the best race car in the world.This 3rd movie really touches the heart and brings the whole story to a very good and effective end. Such a well made movie - and in my opinion the best of all three.
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartHugh JackmanHalle BerryWhen anti-mutant Colonel William Stryker kidnaps Professor X and attacks his school, the X-Men must ally with their archenemy Magneto to stop him.I personally felt the first movie was rather weak, though worth watching. But this next film exploded on to the screen and never let you go. SO much better than the original and arguably the best movie of the franchise.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsMel GibsonDanny GloverJoe PesciRiggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.The best of the series without a doubt. The 2nd Lethal Weapon capitalizes on the first with wittier banter, stronger characters, more memorable scenes (toilet bomb anyone?) and faster action sequences. Murtaugh and Riggs are in full force here.
